The evacuation of Mogollon was ordered by the Catron County Sheriff's Office, effective at noon Saturday.

"In New Mexico, if you want to stay, you can stay, but there comes a point where they may not be able to protect you," said Dan Ware of the State Forestry Service.

The lightning-caused wildfire is 0 percent contained and the teeth-grinding wind is making things worse.

Evacuees will be sheltered at the Glenwood Community Center on Community Center Road with their small pets. Large animals can be relocated to a temporary animal collection center at the home of County Commissioner Hube McKeen.

Residents can call 575-533-6901 and 575-533-6053 for more information about the fire.

Twelve cabins and 13 outbuildings in the Willow Creek Subdivision have burned so far in the blaze.

The fire is a challenge for firefighters, and a nightmare for residents such as Jeanne Mims.

"I just love it, year," she said. "I never planned on leaving. I though I'd just die here.

Friday morning's fire behavior was not as extreme as the previous two days. The fire is still burning in steep, rugged terrain. Winds are predicted to continue to challenge fire fighters today and tomorrow, shifting from a southwesterly wind to more of a southern wind.

The fire is zero percent contained, firefighters said.

On Wednesday, the Whitewater and Baldy fires merged into one massive wildfire.

Smoke from the wildfires in the Gila region is expected to move north and east throughout the state through Saturday.

More than 600 fire personnel are camping out to get the fire under control, but authorities said it could still take a few more days.

"We've seen incredible growth over the last couple days, wind driven," said Mary Rasmussen, public information officer of Type One Management. "We needed to call in more folks, not just firefighters on the ground and engines, but a team to support and manage those firefights."

Their job has not and will not be simple, Rasmussen said.

"There's a lot of factors. First and foremost, we're paying attention to expected and current fire behavior, and expected and current fire weather. Those two can work against us, which they have in the last couple days," Rasmussen said.

Rasmussen said they're not waiting for the wind to die down to fight the fire.

They're fighting it all along, but they're not going to rush into things with the current weather conditions.